Degradable slitted cigarette filter

ABSTRACT

A cigarette filter comprises an elongate filter component having a longitudinal axis. A plurality of spaced apart slits generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the filter component partially extend into the component. The slits enable the filter to disintegrate and more readily degrade after being used and discarded. Processes and apparatus are provided for producing such cigarette filters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to cigarette filters with slitstherein that enable the filter to disintegrate and more readily degradeafter use, and more particularly to such filters as well as processesand apparatus for slitting filters to accelerate degradation of thefilters after being used and discarded.

[0002] Cellulose acetate is commonly used in the production of cigarettefilters. This material is often used alone or in combination with avariety of other substances. Often the overall mass of the celluloseacetate filter component makes it difficult to degrade except over longperiods of time. While smaller cellulose acetate pieces would acceleratethe degradation process little if any effort is made by the end user tobreak the filter component apart after the cigarette is smoked.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is acigarette filter with slits therein which functions in a highlyefficient manner to accelerate degradation of the filter after beingused and discarded.

[0004] Another object of the present invention is a process for slittingcigarette filters prior to being combined with tobacco rods in themanufacture of cigarettes, such process being relatively simple, yethighly effective in slitting the filter to thereby make the filtersignificantly more degradable when compared to a similar filter withoutslits.

[0005] Still another object of the present invention is an apparatus forslitting cigarette filters which is simple to use yet highly effectivein slitting filters to render them degradable after being used anddiscarded.

[0006] In accordance with the present invention, a cigarette filtercomprises an elongate component having a longitudinal axis. A pluralityof spaced apart slits generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof the elongate component partially extend into the component to therebymake the filter significantly more degradable when compared to a filterwithout such slits. The slits enable the cigarette filter to be brokenapart more readily and thereby accelerate the degradation process.

[0007] Preferably the elongate component has a cylindrical shape andprimarily comprises a cellulose acetate tow. Moreover, the plurality ofspaced apart slits partially extend into the elongate component of thefilter approximately midway through the component.

[0008] Additionally, the plurality of slits may include first and secondgroups of equally spaced apart slits parallel to one another, and thefirst and second groups may be approximately 180° apart from each otheron opposite sides of the elongate component. Moreover, the slits of thefirst group may be staggered with respect to the slits of the secondgroup so that each slit of the first group is located between two slitsof the second group and vice versa.

[0009] The present invention also includes a process for producingcigarette filters with slits therein that function to acceleratedegradation of the filter after being used and discarded. Fundamentally,the process comprises the steps of providing a supply of elongatedfilter rods, each having a longitudinal axis. Preferably the filter rodshave a cylindrical configuration and the rods comprise cellulose acetatetow. The filter rods are transported along a path of travel past atleast one slitter mechanism having spaced apart cutter blades thatpartially enter the filter rods in a direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the rods. The filter rods are partially slittedwith the blades of the slitter mechanism. Subsequently, the slittedfilter rod is cut into individual cigarette filter lengths and thefilters are combined with tobacco rods by wrapping each filter and itsassociated tobacco rod with tipping paper.

[0010] The process step of slitting the filter rods may include a pairof slitter mechanisms each having a plurality of spaced apart rotatingcutter blades that partially enter the filter rods to produce the slitstherein. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bladesof one slitter mechanism are spaced approximately 180° apart from theblades of the other mechanism whereby each cigarette filter has a firstrow of slits on one side of the filter and a second row of slits on theopposite side of the filter. Moreover, the first row of slits may bestaggered with respect to the second row of slits on the opposite sideof the cigarette filter.

[0011] The present invention further includes an apparatus for producingcigarette filters with slits therein to accelerate degradation of thefilter after being used and discarded. Basically, the apparatuscomprises a supply of elongate filter rods, each having a longitudinalaxis. Preferably the filter rods are cylindrical in configuration andcomprise cellulose acetate tow. A transport system conveys the filterrods from the supply along a predetermined path of travel. At least oneslitter mechanisms is positioned adjacent the path of travel of thefilter rods, and such slitter mechanism includes a plurality of spacedapart rotating cutter blades constructed and arranged to partially enterand thereby slit the filter rods in a direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the elongate filter rods. Subsequently a cutter isprovided for separating the filter rods into smaller cigarette filtercomponents.

[0012] Preferably the apparatus includes a pair of slitter mechanismswith a first set of spaced apart cutter blades associated with oneslitter mechanism and a second set of spaced apart cutter bladesassociated with the other slitter mechanism. The first set of blades isconstructed and arranged to partially enter the filter rods at a firstlocation on the rods while the second set of cutter blades isconstructed and arranged to enter the filter rods at a second locationapproximately opposite the first location. The arrangement of the cutterblades of the first set is such that these blades are longitudinaloffset and staggered with respect to the blades of the second set.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Novel features and advantages of the present invention inaddition to those mentioned above will become apparent to persons ofordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings whereinsimilar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic front elevational view of a machine forslitting cigarette filter rods in order to accelerate degradation ofindividual cigarette filters after being used and discarded;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a fragmental side elevational view of the filterslitting blades of the machine of FIG. 1 illustrating the arrangement ofthe blades relative to the cigarette filter rods;

[0016]FIG. 3 is cross-sectional view taken through one of the slits inthe cigarette filter rod;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a cigarette filter rod withmultiple slits therein;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the cigarette filter rod shown inFIG. 4 illustrating the multiple slits therein with the slits onopposite sides of the filter rod in staggered relationship with oneanother; and

[0019]FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a cigarette comprising a tobaccorod and an individual filter component made from the elongate filter rodof FIGS. 4 and 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Referring in more particularity to the drawings, FIG. 1illustrates a machine 10 for slitting cigarette filter rods 12 in orderto accelerate degradation of individual cigarette filters after beingused and discarded. Basically, machine 10 comprises a supply of elongatefilter rods 12 in the form of a hopper 14. A transport system 16comprising several vacuum drums functions to convey the filter rodsalong a predetermined path of travel. Slitter mechanisms 18 arepositioned adjacent the path of travel of the filter rods to partiallyslit the rods, as explained more fully below.

[0021] The transport system 16 includes a first vacuum drum 20 withperipherally disposed grooves 22 that extend across the width of thedrum. A vacuum within the drum is connected to the peripheral grooves 22by passageways 24. Accordingly, as the first vacuum drum 20 is rotatedin a clockwise direction, individual filter rods 12 from hopper 14 aredrawn into the peripheral grooves 22 by the vacuum within the drum. Thetransport system 16 also includes a second vacuum drum 26 and a thirdvacuum drum 28, as explained more fully below.

[0022] The slitter mechanism 18 includes a first group of multiplecutters adjacent the first vacuum drum 20. This group includes fourslitters 30 each comprising a plurality of rotating cutter blades 32that partially enter and slit the filter rods 12 in a directionapproximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the filter rods.As best shown in FIG. 2, the slitters 30 are arranged to partially cutinto the filter rods at four locations along the length of the rods.Each location ultimately becomes an individual filter length, and in theexamples shown in the drawings, each rod produces four individualcigarette filters.

[0023] After the slitters 30 partially cut into the filter rods 12,continued rotation of the first vacuum drum 20 transports the filterrods to the nip between the first and second vacuum drums. The vacuumholding the filter rods in the grooves 22 is terminated and the filterrods are transferred to the grooves 22A of the second vacuum drum 26.Vacuum within the first drum 20 is terminated at the transfer point by astationary piece 34 within the first vacuum drum that seals off thepassageways 24 between the transfer point and the point at which filterrods are deposited in the grooves at the hopper 14.

[0024] The second vacuum drum is similar in construction to the firstvacuum drum. A second bank of slitters 36 is provided adjacent thesecond vacuum drum and this arrangement of slitters is similar to thearrangement shown in FIG. 2. Rotating cutting blades 32A of the slitters36 partially cut into the filter rods in the same manner as the slitters30. The only difference is that the filter rods are slit at a locationopposite the location where the slitters 30 cut into the rod. With thisarrangement the filter rods are partially slit on one side thereof bythe slitters 30 adjacent drum 20 and then on the opposite sideapproximately 180° apart by the slitters 36 adjacent the drum 26.

[0025] The filter rods 12 are transferred to the third vacuum drum 28where a cutter 38 operates to cut the filter rods into desired lengths.Transfer between the second and third vacuum drums is accomplished byterminating the vacuum applied to the grooves 22A of the second vacuumdrum 26 by the internal stationary piece 34A which blocks thepassageways 24A at the point of transfer. The third vacuum drum alsoincludes a similar piece 34C internally located at the point of releaseof the cut filters from the grooves 22C of the third vacuum drum.

[0026] The elongate filter rod 12 preferably has a cylindricalconfiguration with a longitudinal axis extending the length of the rod.Moreover, the filter rod may comprise cellulose acetate tow, but othermaterials are equally applicable. In many instances the fibers of thecellulose acetate tow are long and longitudinally oriented. The rotatingblades 32, 32A of the slitters 30, 36 provide slits 40, 40A in thefilter rods and these slits are generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the filter rods. The slits function to shorten theotherwise long cellulose acetate fibers which accelerates thedegradation process. Each slit partially extends into the elongatecomponent of the filter approximately midway therethrough, as shown bestin FIG. 3.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a right or left side elevational view of the filter rod12 with multiple slits 40, 40A therein. For example, the rotating blades32 of the slitters 30 produce the slits 40 on the right side of thefilter rod while the rotating blades 32A of the slitters 36 produce themultiple slits 40A on the left side of the filter rod. As shown best inFIG. 5, the slits on one side of the filter rod are longitudinallyoffset with respect to the slits on the opposite side of the filter rod.This produces the staggered pattern shown in FIG. 5 where each of theslits on one side is midway between adjacent slits on the opposite side.This pattern is produced by a longitudinal offset between the rotatingblades 32 of the slitters 30 and the rotating blades 32A of the slitters36.

[0028]FIG. 6 shows a cigarette 50 comprising a tobacco rod 52 and anindividual filter 54 cut from the filter rod 12 after the filterslitting operation. The filter 54 is attached to the tobacco rod withtipping paper 56.

[0029] Slitting the cigarette filter as described above functions toaccelerate degradation of the filter after being used and discarded.Normally the mass of a cellulose acetate filter together with the lengthand longitudinal orientation of the cellulose acetate fibers make itdifficult to degrade except over long periods of time. However, with thecigarette filter of the present invention the filter easilydisintegrates after use thereby accelerating the degradation process.

[0030] It should be understood that the above detailed description whileindicating preferred embodiments of the invention are given by way ofillustration only since various changes and modifications within thespirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilledin the art from the detailed description. For example, the slits 40, 40Amay be positioned on the filter at a separation of less than 180°. Also,the depth of the slits may be varied by moving the slitter mechanisms 18toward or away from the transport system 16. With the staggered slitarrangement, the depth of the individual slits may be more than half waythrough the filter, if desired.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cigarette filter comprising: an elongate filtercomponent having a longitudinal axis; and plurality of spaced apartslits generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the filtercomponent partially extending into the filter component.
 2. A cigarettefilter as in claim 1 wherein the elongate filter component iscylindrical.
 3. A cigarette filter as in claim 2 wherein the cylindricalfilter component comprises cellulose acetate tow.
 4. A cigarette filteras in claim 2 wherein the slits partially extend into the filtercomponent approximately midway through the filter component.
 5. Acigarette filter as in claim 2 wherein the plurality of spaced apartslits includes first and second groups each comprising a plurality ofequal spaced apart slits parallel to one another, and wherein the firstand second groups are approximately 180° apart from each other onopposite sides of the cylindrical filter component.
 6. A cigarettefilter as in claim 5 wherein the slits of the first group are staggeredwith respect to the slits of the second group.
 7. A process forproducing cigarette filters with slits therein to accelerate degradationof the cigarette filter after being used and discarded, the processcomprising the steps of: providing a supply of elongate filter rods,each having a longitudinal axis; transporting the elongate filter rodsalong a path of travel past at least one slitter mechanism having spacedapart cutter blades that partially enter the filter rods in a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rods; partially slittingthe filter rods with the cutter blades of the slitter mechanism; andcutting the slitted filter rod into smaller lengths.
 8. A process forproducing cigarette filters as in claim 7 wherein the elongate filterrods are cylindrical and comprise cellulose acetate tow.
 9. A processfor producing cigarette filters as in claim 7 including a pair ofslitter mechanisms, and wherein the step of partially slitting thefilter rods includes partially entering the filter rods with the bladesof each slitter mechanism, and wherein the blades of the first slittermechanism cut slits into the one side of the filter rods and the bladesof the other slitter mechanism cut slits into the opposite side of thefilter rods.
 10. A process for producing cigarette filters as in claim 9wherein the blades of one slitter mechanism are longitudinally offsetand staggered with respect to the blades of the other slitter mechanism.11. A process for producing cigarette filters as in claim 7 includingthe step of varying the depth of slits.
 12. An apparatus for producingcigarette filters with slits thereon to accelerate degradation of thefilter after being used and discarded, the apparatus comprising: asupply of elongate filter rods, each having a longitudinal axis; atransport system for conveying the filter rods along a path of travel;at least one slitter mechanism adjacent the path of travel of the filterrods including a plurality of spaced apart cutter blades constructed andarranged to partially enter and slit the filter rods in a directionapproximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the filter rods;and a cutter for separating the elongate filter rods into cigarettesmaller lengths.
 13. An apparatus for producing cigarette filters as inclaim 12 including: a pair of slitter mechanisms; a first set of spacedapart cutter blades connected to one slitter mechanism; a second set ofspaced apart cutter blades connected to the other slitter mechanism; andwherein the first set of cutter blades is constructed and arranged topartially enter the cigarette filter rods at a first location on thefilter rods while the second set of cutter blades is constructed andarranged to partially enter the filter rods at a second location on therods approximately opposite from the first location.
 14. An apparatusfor producing cigarette filters as in claim 13 wherein the blades of thefirst set are longitudinally offset and staggered with respect to theblades of the second set.